site is also home to the ornithological research collections (Bird Group, Department of Zoology) and the ornithological library (Department of Library and Information Services) of The Natural History Museum, but these are not open to the public. There are small special themed exhibitions throughout the year showcasing specimens not normally on display, and activities for youngsters. Thefts from museum Bird skins On 24 June 2009, a theft occurred from the museum involving the removal of 299 brightly coloured stuffed birds, mostly male trogons and quetzals from Central and South America, as well as birds of paradise from the island of New Guinea some of which had been collected by Alfred Russel Wallace. The police announced on 12 November 2010 that a 22-year-old US citizen, Edwin Rist, had been arrested, in the Tring area, in connection with the theft and the majority of bird skins had been recovered. The story was featured almost a decade later on NPR's This American Life, "The Feather Heist". Rist pleaded guilty to the theft on 24 November 2010. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, and a supervision order in April 2011. The sentence was relatively low because Rist was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. He was also required to repay £125,150, the estimated value of the stolen birds through the Proceeds of Crime Act. The police also advised that 191 intact bird skins had so far been recovered. Rhinoceros horns In the early hours of 27 August 2011, a thief broke in through the museum's front doors and removed the horns from two rhinoceros exhibits, one an Indian rhino and the other a white rhino, using what was believed to be a large hammer. However, in the light of recent thefts from other museums, three months before the break-in curators had replaced the real rhino horns, valued at £240,000, with resin replicas that had no commercial value. On 17 January 2012, Darren Bennett from Leicester was charged with the theft of two replica rhinoceros horns; real rhino horn can sell for £60,000 per kg in the Far East for its supposed medicinal qualities. Gallery Bibliography More information about the collecting of animals can be found in the book Dear Lord Rothschild: Birds, Butterflies and History More information about the Edwin Rist thefts can be found in the book The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession and the Natural History Heist of the